Apparatus for taping bindings and product prepared thereby



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ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,544,411 APPARATUS FOR TAPING BINDINGS AND PRODUCT PREPARED THEREBY Henry N. Staats, Deerfield, lll., assignor to General Binding Corporation, Northbrook, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 628,987 Int. Cl. B26d 5/00 U.S. Cl. 156-353 8 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A method of packaging binding elements and an apparatus for packaging them. Heretofore conventional plastic binding elements of the type having a backbone carrying a plurality of transverse integral curled fingers have been marketed in a loose, box, fashion. The apparatus herein described releasably secures individual bindings to a common carrier member or members and provides for their distribution in a unitized manner. Apparatus is disclosed capable of automatically applying previously constructed conventional binding elements to the carrier member or members for unitized sales distribution and use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Binding elements of the type now commonly described as plastic binding elements, and incorporating an integral backbone with a plurality of arcuately curled, transversely disposed finger members, have been manufactured for many years. Various devices have been employed in the manufacture of such plastic binding elements but insofar as applicant is aware, all of the commercially available binding elements of this type have been generally similar configurations, Packaging of such binding elements has been an extremely difficult problem since the transverse plastic ngers can, when the binding elements are inserted in a package in a random manner, become intermeshed with adjacent binding elements in a complicated, random pattern. The tendency of binding elements to become intermeshed causes a great many problems both in the initial packaging and in the ultimate utilization of the packaged materials by the consumer. By the packaging operation, counting of the bindings has proven diiiicult, and the successful packaging of the bindings in a precise manner in a cardboard carton, or the like, has proven extremely di'cult. When the product reaches the consumer, after shipping many miles from the point of original packaging, it has often been found that the backbone elements are so jostled together that they are extremely difficult to separate, a matter of great annoyance to the customer. The present invention deals with a simple, highly ecient solution to the many problems faced in the manufacture and marketing of plastic bindings of multiple lingers, integral backbone type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, individual binding elements of the type hereinbefore described, are applied to one or more tape members extending generally transversely to the axis of the binding backbone. After assembly of the binding backbone to the tape or tapes, the tape may be folded or coiled, to provide a unitized binding component with each binding element pressure releasably held and separated from its neighbor by a precise substantially uniform distance and in a manner preventing any entanglement between the bindings. Preferably, the taped bindings are coiled and may be packaged in such a coil in a container for shipment, with the result that during shipment no interrelationship or intermingling is permitted between the bindings. At the point of destination and use, the coiled, taped binding is applied to a manual or semiautomatic detaping-binder machine which physically detaches `the binding elements in a sequential manner from the tape at the moment of binding.

At the present time, curled, free-formed plastic bind- .ing elements having a backbone with a plurality of curled fingers integral therewith are marketed in large numbers. Such bindings are made in various ways and the method of manufacturing the binding itself, per se, forms no part of the present invention. Suffice it to say, however, that conventional bindings manufactured in any manner are introduced into the apparatus of the present invention sequentially in a manner wherein the curled fingers extend generally downwardly and the backbone of the individual binding element is supported between adjacent fingers. The bindings as thus suspended are transported consecutively with their backbone substantially parallel to each other to a taping device which applies a pressuresensitive tape to the backbones of the binding element from above, The tape, whether in a form of one or a plurality of continuous tapes, is fed to the point of contact with the binding element backbone along a path at substantially right angles to the axis of the binding element backbone. In accordance with the present invention, the binding tape may be pressed against the backbone by means of pressure rollers, oscillatory or transverse movement of the binding elements per se, or other equivalent means. Upon leaving the point of contact with the tape, the tape may be coiled, folded, or otherwise packaged. Further, counting means may be employed counting each lbinding element asy it leaves the taping head to register each binding and to indicate when a standard number, such as for example, 100 bindings have been bound in a trip whereby a cutter may be energized to provide a unitary group of binding elements in multiples conveniently sold on the present market.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of packaging bindings in a continuous unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for packaging binding elements,

A feature of the invention resides in the attachment by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive of a plurality of binding elements, in a precise sequence, upon a continuous tape.

Another feature of the invention is in the provision of automatic machinery for taping and counting binding elements.

Still other and further objects and features of the invention will at once become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the attached specification and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side-elevational view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for continuously taping binding elements;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side-elevational View of a modified form of apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, binding elements are manufactured by any conventional process, schematically illustrated at the lefthand side of the figure. As there shown, a pair of curling dies 10 and 11 form the binding element into the spiral configuration generally shown at 12 in which the backbone 13 is provided with a plurality of lingers 14 curled to lap the backbone as shown. The lingers 14, as may be seen 3 5 from FIG. 2, are spaced by portion 13a of the backbone and this configuration is employed in aligning the binding elements for the subsequent taping operation. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the binding 12 drops from the dies 10,11, against a deflecting board 15 from whence they roll downwardly into position on top of pulleys 16 drivingly carrying a plurality of belts 17. Asthe individual binding elements drop into position on the pulley system 16, the backbone may be in its lowermost position, as illustrated. Practice shows, however, that movement of the pulleys 16 causes the binding element to jostle and pivot into the position in which the fingers project downwardly and the binding elements become positioned with the backbone generally parallel, and4 with the fingers 14 hanging generally downwardly and the inner surface 13a of the backbone resting upon the belt 17, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and,2. The backbones are positioned in parallel relationship to 'each other, and at generally right angles to the belt `17 by contact with the stop plate 18.

,The individual binding elements are carried toward the righthand side of the apparatus as viewed in FIG. l by the belt 17 which preferably are travelling at a very slightly greater speed than the peripheral speed of rotation of the roller 20 carrying a tape or tapes 21. As a result of this, adhesion of the individual elements 12 to the tape 21 will fix the rate of movement of the binding elements out of the machine, while the speed of the belt 17 will cause the individual elements 12 to press against the elements already secured to the tape, in a piling-up relationship thereby assuring that the binding elements Aare positioned immediately adjacent each other on a continuous basis.

The tape 21 may comprise any of a large number of commercially available tapes marketed under the designation pressure-sensitive. They may include numerous materials such as Scotch brand, and Mystic brand materials designed for adhesion to plastic, such as the monolvinyl or polyvinylchloride materials employed, preferably with the present invention, without chemically cornbining the binding element material. The only requirement for the pressure-sensitive material is that it stick to thebinding elements with a modest amount of pressure and that it may be pulled away from the binding mechanically without damage to the binding, all as described in my presently pending application entitled Plastic Binding and Apparatus for Dispensing Same, filed Mar. 17,

against the tape 21, to thereby improve the adhesion be- Y the end of the belt system, at the righthand portion of FIG. 1 in the drawings, and may be coiled up in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 so that the binding elements are on the outside of individual helical turns of the coil or, alternatively, the tape 21 may merely be folded backwardly upon itself into a two-layer package.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the binding elements 12 are not moved upwardly relative to the pressure roll 21 and, instead, the pressure-sensitive tape 21 `is caused to act against the binding elements mainly through the resiliency of the binding elements 12 themselves and the belts 17. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, however,4the individual backbone elements 12 have their backbones 13 pressed against the tapes 21 by a mechanical movement which causes motion of the individual binding elements directly against the pressure-sensitive tape in a generally oscillatory fashion.

As can be seen from a consideration of FIG. 3, binding elements are dispensed from a device curling the bindings into their final form, such as, for example, dies 10,11, upon a rigid ramp 30 which may comprise two or more bars thin enough in horizontal dimension to pass between adjacent fingers of the binding backbone. A pair of extensions of the ramp 30 are provided in the form of rods 31 pivoted at 32 to the lowermost end of the ramp 30. Bindings slide down the ramp 30, over the pivot 32,

Vdown the rods 31 where they are controlled by an escapement comprising vertically upstanding pins 33 and vertically downwardly extending pins 34. Pressure-sensitive tape is fed to the system via guide rollers 35, 36 over an adjustable tensioning roller 37, and around feed roller 38 into a position immediately above the rods 31. Pressure-sensitive tape 21 is taken from a supply reel, not shown, of any conventional form and tension may be Vadjusted on the system by means of the adjusting knob 40. Motion in the system of FIG. 3 is provided by means of a motor generally indicated at 41 driving a chain sprocket 42 and a cam gear sprocket 43. The sprocket 43 carries an eccentric 44 rigidly secured thereto and arranged for co-operation with a support block 45 secured to the bottom surface of each rod 31.

In operation, rotation of the motor 41 in the counterclockwise direction drives the gear 43 with its eccentric 44 in a counter-clockwise direction causing oscillation of the rod 31 in an up-and-down motion between the maximum `-upper limit condition shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 and the lmaximum low condition shown in dotted lines in the same figure. In the uppermost position of the rods 31, the individual binding elements `12. are forced upwardly against the tape 21 for initial contact therewith at the point 38a. In this position, the pin 33 extends just Aslightly below a clearance point relative to the inside lowermost corner 13a of the bindings so that following the upward movement of the bindings into contact with the tape 21 and drum 38, movement of the drum 38 may be accomplished without interference from the stop 33. Movement of the drum 38 in the clockwise direction is accomplished by means of a one-way ratchet device having an actuating lever 47 connected to the drum 38 by way of any conventional one-way drive which provides a direct drive in a clockwise direction of the drum 38 but permits the lever to move downwardly, under the inuence of spring 47a immediately after actuation, The lever 47 is actuated by a cam roller 48 secured to a lever 49 which is, in turn, rigidly secured to the gear 43, for example, at theend of eccentric 44. In the position illustrated, in which the eccentric 44 and hence the rods 31 are in their upper most condition, the roller 48 carried by arm 49 is a slight distance away from Contact with the lever 47. As the eccentric 44 moves slightly past top dead center condition, and thepresure of the backlbones of the bindings against the drum 38 is relieved slighly, the roller 48 contacts lever 47 causing it to oscilvlate sufficiently to -move the tape 21 a distance equal to the center-to-center distance between adjacent bindings as shown in FIG. 3. This movement will cause a gap of one binding width to occur between the binding held upstream of the stop 34 and the pin stop 33. As the gear 43 continues to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, and the support rods 31 drop into the dotted line condition, the next binding, previously held by stops 34, drops downwardly against the stop 33 for exact alignment perpendicular to the tape 21. Upward motion .of the rod 31, accordingly, presses the next successive binding element against the drum 38, and so forth, the tape 21 -With its attached bindings may be coiled, folded, or otherwise collected by any number of devices, not shown, `for shipment to the consumer.

A serious problem has existed in the manufacture and sale of bindings, incident to the packaging of bindings. In the plast, the static electricity built up in the individual binding elements during their curling has caused great difficulties in individually placing them in a carton in loose form and, at the same time, accurately counting the bindings. In accordance with the present invention, however, this is completely overcome since the bindings are oneby-one positively moved past the stops 33 and 34. Accordingly, a counter of conventional configuration is actuated by the lever arm 47 or, alternatively, by the gear 43 to provide one counting movement with each revolution of the gear 43 or oscillation of lever 47. At the end of 100 such revolutions or oscillations, cutting means may be energized either electrically or mechanically to cut the tape into a merchandise Iunit or binding component. Such a counting device works equally well whether the machine is employed as a taping device, as illustrated, or as merely a counting and packaging device in which the tape 21 is eliminated and the bindings are merely counted past the stops 33, 34 by means for the gear 43, eccentric 44, cam roller 48, and lever 47 and drop into a container positioned at the left, below the ends 31a of the rods 31.

In the construction of the device it will be apparent that a plurality of rods 31 are preferably employed to provide ample support of bindings ensuring their pressure contact with the pressure-sensitive tape 21. Similarly, it is preferred that a plurality of tapes 21 be provided. Where a plurality of rods 31 and tapes 21 are utilized, it is, of course, preferred that the rods 31 be positioned directly beneath the position of the tape in order to provide maximum backbone-to-tape pressure without defiection of the bindings. Multiple operation of a plurality of rods 31 may be accomplished by providing a plurality of member 45 of a width equal to the width of the rods 31 (and hence smaller than the width between adjacent fingers of the binding 12) secured to a single block portion 45a actuated by the eccentric 44.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations may be made in the apparatus described, and that further embodiments of the invention can readily be envisaged without departing from the scope of my invention. It is, accordingly, my intent that the scope of the intention be limited solely by that of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for packaging binding elements of the type having a backbone with a plurality of transversely projecting fingers thereon, comprising means conveying individual binding elements parallel to each other in sideby-side relation, means positioning at least one length of pressure-sensitive tape in a position extending substantially perpendicularly to the conveyed bindings and supporting said tape at a taping position, and means projecting between adjacent ngers and acting against the backbone therebetween to press the backbone of each of said conveyed bindings against said tape sequentialy at said taping position to thereby cause the backbones of said bindings sequentially to adhere to said pressure-sensitive tape providing a unitary binding component composed of a plurality of binding elements presure releasably secured to said tape at substantially right angles thereto by their backbones.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means positively evenly spacing said bindings on said tape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tape positioning means positions a plurality of spaced tapes.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said last-named means comprises means relatively moving said conveyor and tape tarnsversely toward and away from each other at said taping position to press a binding against said tape, and means moving said tape following each transverse pressing movement to advance said tape a predetermined distance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including means counting each transverse pressing movement and operative to sever said tape following a predetermined number of such movements.

l6. Apparatus for packaging binding elements of the type having a backbone with a plurality of transversely projecting fingers thereon, comprising means conveying individual binding elements parallel to each other in sideby-side relation, means positioning at least one length of pressure-sensitive tape in a position extending substantially perpendicularly to the conveyed bindings and supporting said tape at a taping position, and means pressing each of said conveyed bindings against said tape sequentially at said taping position to thereby cause said bindings sequentially to adhere to said pressure-sensitive tape providing a unitary binding component composed of a plurality of binding elements pressure releasably secured to said tape at substantially right angles thereto, said lastnamed means comprising means relatively moving said conveyor and tape transversely toward and away from each other at said taping position to press a binding against said tape, and means moving said tape following each transverse pressing movement to advance said tape, and wherein said conveyor is transversely moved toward and away from said tape.

7. Apparatus for packaging binding elements of the type having a backbone with a plurality of transversely projecting fingers thereon, comprising means conveying individual binding elements parallel to each other in sideby-side relation, means positioning at least one length 0f pressure-sensitive tape in a position extending substantially perpendicularly to the conveyed bindings and supporting said tape at a taping position, and means pressing each of said conveyed bindings against said tape sequentially at said taping position to thereby cause said bindings sequentially to adhere to said pressure-sensitive tape providing a unitary vbinding component composed of a plurality of binding elements pressure releasably secured to said tape at substantially right angles thereto, said lastnamed means comprising means relatively moving said conveyor and tape transversely toward and away from each other at said taping position to press a binding against said tape, means moving said tape following each transverse pressing movement to advance said tape a predetermined distance, and including means positioning each successive binding individually at said position in precise right angled relation to said tape.

8. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said means projecting between adjacent lingers comprises a support directly opposed from said tape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL FEINBERG, Pri-mary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 156-552 

